Irene C. Ricard

Irene C. Ricard, age 79, of Windham, CT joined the other beautiful angels on September 13, 2016. Her final days were surrounded by her loving family, and her beautiful new friends and caregivers from Harrington Court, in Colchester, CT where she had lived for nearly a year. She was born in St. Quentin, New Brunswick, Canada to parents Rene Cyr and Rose Lapoint. Irene had a deep love for her family, and especially loved being a Memere to her five grandchildren. She had a love for animals and children, and couldn't resist holding and talking to any baby she saw. Irene moved from Canada to Connecticut to work for the American Thread Company, where she made many friends, and learned to speak and read English. Irene later worked at the UConn Department of Dining Services, where she was thought of fondly by the students that she referred to as her kids. After her retirement, she returned to part time work as a lunch lady for Windham Public Schools. Irene was known to carry several dollars in her pocket just in case the cute little kids did not have enough to buy a special treat. Irene is survived by her three children and their families; Elaine Cooper and her husband Richard Cooper, Robert Ricard, Ronald Ricard and his wife Heather Ricard; five grandchildren, Ryan Cooper, Elias Ricard, Crystal Ricard, Mason Ricard, Ty Ricard. She is also survived by her siblings; Lucille Bouley, Albeni Cyr, Donald Cyr, Lise Winters, Coco Michaud, Aline Levesque, and Jacinthe Gagnon, along with many nieces, nephews and extended relatives. She is predeceased by her husband Robert Ricard, a very special companion, Robert Golden, and a brother Norman Cyr. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Irene?s name be made to Irene?s great niece, Emma, who has an inoperable brain tumor. Please join her fight as Irene would wish, http://www.gofundme.com/wnymzc Calling hours will be held on Sunday, September, 18, 2016 from 2:00-4:00 p.m. at Potter Funeral Home, 456 Jackson St. (Rte. 195) Willimantic, CT. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Monday, September 19, 2016 at 10:00 a.m., St. Mary Church, 46 Valley St., Willimantic, CT, followed be a graveside service at St. Joseph Cemetery in Windham.Charitable donations may be made to:Irene Ricard's Great Niece Emma - Go Fund MeWeb: http://www.gofundme.com/wnymzc